By Hassan Gimba

"The days of life pass away like clouds, so do good while you are alive." - Imam Ali (AS)

Many people may expect me to write about the late President Muhammadu Buhari, a retired Nigerian Army Major General who was many things to many people and different things to different people.

By Owei Lakemfa

Twenty years ago, I got a message that Uncle Sam Amuka-Pemu, the publisher of the Vanguard Newspapers could not be found. It was his 70th birthday and plans to mark it were in place, but the celebrant was not responding to calls. He seems to have simply vanished.

By Ademola Adegbamigbe

Mr Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Strategy, who is marking his birthday this Friday, 20 June, has a rare gift. He can keep a straight face that is difficult to read by his enemies. He put this into use on one of those days when General Sani Abacha was Head of State, ruling Nigeria like Adolf Hitler, leader of the Third Reich.

By Dare Babarinsa

Sam Amuka-Pemu (Sad Sam) has staying power. He has remained a prominent Nigerian for more than half-a-century. In 1967 when he was appointed the editor of the Sunday Times, he was just 32. Before then, he had been the editor of Spear magazine, also published by the Daily Times group. In 1973, he collaborated with Chief Olu Aboderin, a wealthy accountant, to start the phenomenal Punch newspapers. It was a collaboration made in heaven. Amuka had the idea. Aboderin had the money. The Punch remained till today, but not the friendship or collaboration between Aboderin and Amuka-Pemu.

By Azu Ishiekwene

On paper, it looked like a mismatch. Iran is not only one of the oldest and most established places in the Persian Gulf but also at least 75 times the size of Israel, with a population nine to ten times larger. Size for size, it’s a modern-day David and Goliath match-up, with ancient history squarely on Iran’s side.

By Bola Bolawole

“Countries have no permanent friends or enemies but permanent interests” - Lord Palmerston, 19th century British Prime Minister.

By CDon Adinuba

With the death on Thursday, June 5, of Jibril Aminu, former Minister of Education, former Minister of Petroleum, former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, former Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) President, former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), former University of Maiduguri Vice Chancellor, former Professor of Medicine at Howard University in Washington, DC, and a former senator of the Federal Republic, Nigeria has lost one of its brightest and most liberal citizens. I lost a friend and confidant.

By Ikeddy Isiguzo

Media in person The Best Newspaper Man A human being extraordinaire Teacher Mentor Father Immeasurably kind in words, deeds and indeed Humour in motion Uncle Sam, as we popularly call Sam Amuka, no titles, no frills, all thrills, is all things to all peoples and more. Every moment spent with him inspires, encourages and leaves one more educated. I am a beneficiary of his well of wisdom and goodness.

By Bolanle Bolawole

‘Those of us at The PUNCH newspapers were completely blotted out; yet, we stood and fought for June 12 more than anyone else; even more than the Concord newspapers owned by MKO Abiola, the symbol of the June 12 struggle. I stand to be corrected because facts and figures back up this claim’.

By Azu Ishiekwene

I encountered the relic of his presence long before I met Sam Amuka, known as Uncle Sam. Inside a room in the far corner of the old Kudeti PUNCH building, predominantly constructed of plywood and steel frames, there was a wooden armchair that had been a fixture in Uncle Sam’s office when he served as managing editor.

By Tony Onyima, Ph.D.

According to the 2025 Pontifical Yearbook released by the Vatican's Central Office of Church Statistics, Nigeria has emerged as Africa’s second-largest Catholic nation with 35 million adherents. This milestone signals a profound demographic and spiritual shift in global Catholicism.

A Response to 'Nigeria: Mounting Death Toll and Looming Humanitarian Crisis

By Tersoo Chiahemen

Amid Unchecked Attacks by Armed Groups' Amnesty International has once again set off alarm bells with a sensationalist report claiming that over 10,000 people have been killed by bandits and armed groups in Northern Nigeria since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office two years ago. With dramatic headlines like “Bandits Sacked 672 Villages and Killed Over 10,000 under Tinubu,” Amnesty has managed to attract widespread media attention but very little scrutiny. And, scrutiny is what this report sorely needs.